The Abolishment of DWS for GPs
Surprise announcements are not uncommon to Medical Practitioners but the most recent changes to the District of Workplace Shortage (DWS) Assessment Areas to the new Distribution Priority Areas (DPA) classification system that commences on July 1, has left many General Practice owners scratching their heads with yet another change affecting the viability of their practices.
DPA will be the new DWS of General Practice and Bonded Scholars. The DWS scheme has been created using statistical data from Medicare Rebates claimed and a Doctor to population ratio was created. If the area had a lower Doctor to patient ratio than the national average then the area was deemed to be DWS.
DWS would allow practices to engage the services of overseas trained Doctors and Australian trained bonded scholarship holders to fill vacancies and thus provide a much-needed service. For General Practice DWS was assessed on a quarterly basis creating uncertainty for new practice owners and overseas doctors applying for positions. Non-GP specialists would have DWS areas assessed annually.
The new DPA classification system will incorporate the gender, age and socio-economic status of the patients living within the GP catchment area. The GP catchment area is made up of 829 non-overlapping areas created as part of the Health, Demand and Supply Utilisation Patterns Planning (HeaDs UPP) Tool. In order to create greater stability in the worksforce, the DPA reclassifications will be every three years.
There are a number of blanket rules that apply to DPA including the exclusion of inner metropolitan areas which could result in significant shortages of after-hours home visiting services who have utilised the access the DWS to maintain their workforce. Modified Monash Model Areas 5-7 will be automatically deemed DPA as will the Northern Territory.
The most significant impact will be felt by the metropolitan practices in areas with longstanding issues for recruiting Medical Practitioners with their exclusion to the engagement of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Bonded Scholars should they not be deemed DPA. Adding this to the recent changes in Visa requirements that prevent skilled visa migrants working in metropolitan areas there could well be a mass downturn in the patient services in these areas.
Changes that encourage practitioners to take up a rural location and fill these much-needed positions should be seen as a positive way forward in managing the critical shortage of rural and remote Doctors. It may, however, be at the detriment of much needed suburban areas that will result in additional pressures on already stretched state-funded emergency departments.
Until Monday I will be sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see if the location of my 'soon to be opened' clinic will meet the DPA requirements allowing the engagement of IMGs with PR status and Australian training Doctors on Bonded Scholarships.
(COI noted that the author is an MRBS recipient and will be subject to return to service under the new scheme
Management / Advanced Practice Nurse
5yWhy can’t Government increase Medicare Rebate the further rural / remote practices are ?
Aged Health Assessment Clinician over 75 year old patients at the Health Care Medical Centre, Vic
5yThe recent changes in the recruitment and application of new medical registration(AHPRA),could be causing some significant delays of most IMG's registration, been waiting for almost for a yr now, for my application and causing my medical centre practice employer in Carrum Downs unhappy what's been happening, even though I have previous good working experience in regional town of Morwell,Vic, as a GP for 6yrs last 2017??! Bureaucracy or politics? Australia is in dire needs of GP's every where esp in the rural areas, IMG's with permanent residency should be given priority than hiring temporary medicos.
Business owner at Highland Medical
5yI once worked for a GP practice that's was never classed as DWS (that term was never used the way it should have been) because they were 2km away from the DWS catchment area. They still struggle to get doctors today because the area is a low socioeconomic area and a lot of crime is committed there. "Mum and Dad" practices have been affected with the previous DWS rules but now some will be forced to close their doors with the new changes. What I wish the government would do is grant each practice with 3 or less GPs, at least one overseas trained GP to keep them going. For years, patients have virtually been "forced" to go to practices further away from their homes because of no available appointments at their usual medical centre and with these new changes I fear the hospitals and emergency rooms will once again be full to overflowing with patients. Whoever makes these rules should consult with practice owners and other GPs before making the changes.
Company Owner at Nurture Family Allied Health and Nurture Family Dental
5yI’m the owner of two medical practices in Townsville. It’s a constant battle trying to get suitable doctors , due to the current DWS regulations and what is deemed to be areas of need. I have been trying to recruit for the newer of the two practices for at least 2.5 years. The GP that we have in this practice is fully booked all sessions, but when she has leave we have to refer patients to our sister practice, who do the best to cover our patients as well as their own. I have tried every option possible to engage another GP. As this practice is in its infancy we find it too expensive to engage a recruitment agency. Do you think this will make it easier for doctors and practices to engage their services in areas Like TOWNSVILLE North Queensland. When there are areas like the Gold Coast , some areas of Sydney and other capital cities who attain DWS status. Why would anyone want to locate to TOWNSVILLE or other regional towns or cities?
Offering GPs and RGs flexible and fulfilling locum opportunities in rural and remote communities across Australia 🩺🇦🇺
5yGreat post April, wishing you the best of luck for your new clinic.